In today’s podclass Craig shares some highlights from our recently-released annual Freelancer Report. We discuss how COVID-19 has affected actively working freelancers and share the top technical and soft skills that are most important today. We also reveal the most requested services for freelance businesses during this global pandemic and the most effective ways to find new clients. These important findings that will be both beneficial and impactful to your business moving forward!
Podcast Outline:
[1:07] How the freelance industry is growing by leaps and bounds - Craig shares some reasons why this is happening and how the way people work has changed.
Highlights and Trends from the Annual Report
[3:03] The primary motivation for being a freelancer or virtual assistant and why respondents started their businesses in the first place
[4:00] The business impact of COVID-19 - some encouraging results from respondents about how their businesses have been affected
[4:58] The top five technical skills that are most important in freelancers’ businesses
[6:34] The top three soft skills that freelancers thought were most important to the success of their businesses
[7:41] The top three ways to find new clients - examples of how FreeU students are finding ideal clients
[9:02] The most popular website platforms that freelancers are using - how having WordPress skills is ideal right now.
[9:46] The top three social networks that are most important to freelancers right now
[11:12] How the majority of respondents believe the freelance economy, industry and opportunities are increasing during this global pandemic and how there are prime opportunities for existing and new freelancers
[11:58] Three core skill areas that will make you successful as a well-rounded freelancer who builds a long-term, enduring business - some important examples of how Freelance University teaches these skills
[15:27] Where to find resources and information about Freelance University and how it provides valuable ongoing education to help you build a successful freelance business
Resources and tools discussed in this episode:
Infusionsoft https://keap.com/infusionsoft
WordPress https://wordpress.org/
Squarespace https://www.squarespace.com/
Weebly https://www.weebly.com/
GoDaddy https://ca.godaddy.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
Facebook Ads https://www.facebook.com/business/ads
Facebook Groups https://www.facebook.com/groups/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/
Freelance University Course: Cold Calling Success in a Digital World https://my.freelanceu.com/courses/cold-calling-success-in-a-digital-age
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/
Mailchimp https://mailchimp.com/
Netflix https://www.netflix.com/
